Masterful display from Mansfield Harriers duo

Sports Reporter

Mansfield Harriers pair Andy Wetherill and Paul Butcher put in fantastic performances at the British Masters 5K Championship at Horwich, which was run over an undulating two-lap course.

In very windy conditions Wetherill crossed the line first in the over-55s race to take the gold medal and the title of British champion in a time of 17.08 while Butcher continued his fine run of form, taking bronze in the over-50 category.

The club had several athletes competing at the Grantham Summer Solstice 10k on Friday night with Matthew Bradbury running a big personal best of 43.22 and wife Sarah showing she is returning to form completing the course in 55.40.

Also running were new recruits from Southwell Nigel Watkin, who ran 38.06 in the over-50 race, and Jackie Duers, who finished the course in 51.41.

Completing the line up was Chris Allcock.

Maddy Collinge ran at the Ripley Wedding Belle five-mile event, winning the over-60 event in 43.50 and Kerry Allen ran a huge seven minute 10k personal best at the Race For Life event at Clumber Park, finishing in 43.38.

On the track at the Charnwood Open Meeting, Daisy Smith continued her fine season with two fantastic personal bests.

The much improved athlete recorded 12.93 in the 100m and 27.09 in the 200m.

May Roberts put in a big performance in the 800m, running a three second personal best of 2.22, with Chris Ashmore competing well in the sprints and Paige Vick having another outstanding night on both track and field.

Saturday saw the Mason Trophy at Birmingham, which is an eight county schools competition. Mansfield had four athletes competing, with May Roberts knocking another two seconds off her 800m time to record 2.20 and put her in contention to represent the county in the English Schools competition.

Cameron Walker ran a superb 1500m, winning his race comfortably in 4.13. Beth Williams ran a solid 1500m after a recent illness and Jade Bacon improved her personal best in the triple jump.

On a dry but windy night, 24 males and 12 females from Sutton Harriers Running Club, with 280 other runners from 11 other clubs from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, took part in the third race of the Booths Summer League Program, around the 4.8-mile Denby Pottery course.

With Sutton’s ladies finishing in first place they are still first overall while the men are in overall second place.

First male home and pushing hard was Luke Wigman (SM) in fifth position in 27mins 27secs, followed closely by Paul Whittingham, who was first yet again in his age group of over-50s in 27mins 59secs.